ONE OF THE more gratify- ing parts of this job is following up with the subjects of columns who continue to achieve great things in their fields.

The perfect example is 23-year-old Chauntee Schuler whom I first met several years ago when she was starting at the University of Richmond to pursue a career in theater.

The former Massaponax High school student, whose proud parents, James and LaVerne, live in Spotsylvania County, had gotten quite a bit of attention after being elected governor at the Virginia Girls State gathering a few months before.

As I chatted with the poised and pretty young student, it was clear then that she had both the looks and the drive to make it in whatever field she chose.

Her current role, a starring one as Nala in a touring Broadway production of "The Lion King," is just the most recent proof of that.

Reaching her by phone in Hartford, Conn., where she took over the role, Schuler was her typical modest self, saying that she was blessed by God and a lucky run of things to have landed the role.

But those who've followed the rapidly rising career of this hard-working actress and singer know that she paid her dues in college productions and beyond.

Her first big break was making it into a national tour of the Broadway musical "The Producers," snagging a spot in the ensemble.

That's where aspiring young actors start, getting their foot in the door of the big time.

"You learn the songs, dances and lines pretty quickly," she said of that experience. "But what takes longer is learning to go out and put your heart in it night in and night out. Doing a show seven or eight times a week will do that for you."

The other big plus, she said, was getting to work with actors and dancers who'd been making a living in the bright lights for years.

"Many of them were very helpful to me as a newcomer," she said. "They had been where I was."

The run lasted for almost a year and even took her to Japan.